The area is an important stopover spot for migratory birds, including many vulnerable species.

It has an area of 33,929 square kilometres (13,100 sq mi), and is in the Flooded grasslands and savannas biome.

The lake straddles the border between Heilongjiang Province in China to the west, and Primorsky Krai in Russia to the east.

The region has a Humid continental climate - cool summer subtype (Koppen classification Dwb).

This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with long, cold winters and short, cool summers with no averaging over 22 °C (72 °F).